Training Game U-8 Players
Find the Number
Skill: Dribbling
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 12 or more cones to mark a grid and 1 soccer ball per player.
Grid Requirement: A 30 X 30 yard grid with 5 X 5 yard grids in each corner of the large
grid.
Organization: Using cones layout a 30 X 30 yard grid with 5 X 5 yard grids in each
corner of the large grid. Place one or two players (depending on the # of players you
have at practice) in one of the corner girds, each with a soccer ball.
How The Game Is Played: The coach will designate a number 1 – 4 for each of the
small grids. Each small grid will have at least one player who will be randomly dribbling
within the grid. The coach will yell a number 1-4 and all players will dribble as fast as
they can to the grid number that was called. The player who was playing in the grid that
was called must dribble to any one of the three grids that are now empty. First player to
the new grid wins. The coach assigning starting grids for all players restarts game.
Variations: None
1
2
3
4
Training Game U-8 Players
Mad House
Skill: Dribbling, Passing, Attacking and Defending
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 1 soccer ball per player and a set of pennies
Grid Requirement: Full size U-8 soccer field
Organization: Using a full size U-8 soccer field, divide the team into two equal
groups one of which will wear the pennies. Place one group on one goal line
with a soccer ball at their feet and the other group on the other goal line. The
coach will decide which group will have the ball first. .
How The Game Is Played: Coach will direct which group has the ball first. The
coach will yell, “go”. Group with the ball is on the attack the other group defends.
Points are scored by shooting the ball into the goal at the opposite end of the
field. If the defending group gets possession of a ball they go on the attack and
try to score in the other teams goal. Group that scores the most wins. Play the
game 4 times.
Variations: Allow each player to have a ball.
Training Game U-8 Players
Moving Marbles
Skill: Dribbling/Passing
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 8 or more cones to mark the grid.
Grid Requirement: A 20 X 40 yard grid
Organization: Using cones layout a 20 X 40 yard grid with a 5-yard “Safe Zone” at
each end. Place three (3) shooters in the center of the grid with a ball at their feet. All
remaining players, each with a ball is located in one of the safe zones.
How The Game Is Played: Players in the “Safe Zone” try to dribble the length of the
grid to the other “Safe Zone”. The Shooters can prevent dribblers from reaching the
other “Safe Zone” by knocking their ball out of the grid with a passed ball. After a
player’s ball is knocked out of the grid they become a shooter. Last player remaining
wins. Players dribble between “Safe Zones” until one player remains.
Safe Zone
Variations: None
Safe Zone
Training Game U-8 Players
Musical Balls
Skill: Dribbling
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 6 – 8 soccer balls and 6 cones
Grid Requirement: A 25 X 40 yard grid
Organization: Using cones layout a 25 X 40 yard grid, divided by a midline. Divide the
team into two equal groups and place one group on each endline, facing the center of
the grid. Place balls along the midline (two fewer than the number of players).
How The Game Is Played: The coach will yell, “go”. Players from both sides rush to
the midline and compete for possession of a ball and attempt to return to their endline
by dribbling. The players who did not get a ball will try to steal a ball from someone from
the other team and return it to their endline. Game is over when all the balls have been
dribbled and are stopped on an end line. Play the game 5 times.
Variations: Keep reducing the number of balls and player (those who didn’t get a ball)
so that the last round is 1 v 1 with one ball on the midline.
Training Game U-8 Players
My Buddy
Skill: Passing
Number Of Players Required: Full U-6 team
Equipment: 12 or more cones to mark grid and goals. Group players in pairs, 1
ball for every pair.
Grid Requirement: 20 X 20 yard grid
Organization: Create a 20 X 20 yard grid marked with cones. Create 4 or 5
goals that are arbitrarily placed in the grid. Group players in pairs, 1 ball for every
pair.
How The Game Is Played: Both players in the pair will move to a goal with one
of the players dribbling to one of the goals in the grid. When the pair gets to a
goal they then pass the ball through the goal 3 times to score a goal. Pairs move
throughout the area until they have completed all the goals in the grid. If another
pair is at a goal, players must go to a goal that is vacant.
Variations: Left foot passing only, right foot passing only.
Training Game U-8 Players
Shoot for the Shoes
Skill: Throw-In
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 team
Equipment: 20 or more cones to mark the grid, 1 ball for each player.
Grid Requirement: 15 X 20 yard grid
Organization: Create a 15 X 20 yard grid marked with cones. Create three
groups of three players (depending on the number or players on the team). Using
cones, mark a rectangular grid 15 X 20 yards, divided the grid into three zones.
Place one group of players at the top of the grid each player with a soccer ball
(throwers), one team in the center area of the grid (targets), and the last group on
the other end of the grid (throwers).
How The Game Is Played: The coach yells, “go”. Throwers attempt to hit
targets in the feet (for sure below the waist). All throw-ins must be legal. Targets
can move anyplace in the central grid. Players on the opposite end collect balls
not hitting a target. A target player who is hit with a legally thrown ball returns the
ball to one of the throwers and play continues. One (1) point for each hit below
the waist, deduct a point for illegal throw, first team to ten (10) wins. Play three
rounds.
Variations: None
Training Game U-8 Players
Shooting Gallery
Skill: Passing/Shooting
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 team
Equipment: 10 or more cones to mark grid, a lot of soccer balls (at least 2 per
player).
Grid Requirement: 15 X 20 yard grid
Organization: Create a 15 X 20 yard grid marked with cones. Mark two goals
with cones on each goal line. The coach will be located on the opposite touch
line from the players with a good supply of soccer balls.
Shot
How The Game Is Played: The coach will call the name of the first player in line,
when the name is called the player will run between the near 2 cones, receive a
pass from the coach so the player can shoot on goal and return to end of the line.
Run
ss
Pa
Run
Coach
Variations: Coach and players will switch sides. Players should try to one touch
the shot on goal. Have players use their left and right foot.
Training Game U-8 Players
Shooting Skunks
Skill: Dribbling, Passing, Attacking and Defending
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 4 or more pro cones to mark the grid with, 10 or so tall cones to act
as skunks and 1 soccer ball.
Grid Requirement: 25 X 25 yard grid with the center circle of a field some place
in the grid.
Organization: Create a 25 X 25 yard grid marked with pro cones with the center
circle of the field located within the grid. Evenly distribute 12 or so tall cones in
the center circle. Divide the team into two equal groups. The coach will decide
which team will have the ball, outside the center circle but within the grid.
How The Game Is Played: Coach will direct which team has the ball first. The
coach will yell, “go”. Team with the ball is on the attack the other team defends.
If the defenders gain possession of the ball they are now on the attack. Points
are scored by shooting the ball into the center circle and knocking down one or
more of the tall cones (one point for each cone knocked down). Players are not
permitted to enter the center circle except to get a stopped ball. The team with
most points wins. Play the game 3 times.
Variations: Play one touch or two touches only. Allow only push pass or instep
kick. Think about putting one team in pennies if you get confused.
Training Game U-8 Players
Slalom Shooting
Skill: Dribbling and Shooting
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 1 soccer ball per player plus 6 additional balls, some type of goal, 4 cones
to mark a grid and 10 pro cones to set a slalom course.
Grid Requirement: A 30 X 20 yard grid
Organization: Using cones layout a 30 X 20 yard grid with some type of goal. Shooters
are at the opposite from the goal. Each shooter has a ball and a Keeper is placed in the
goal. Lay 5 pairs of cones between the endline in a slalom style with the last pair of
cones about 8 yards from the goal.
How The Game Is Played: Each shooter in turn dribbles through the slalom course and
must shoot when he arrives at the last set of cones. As soon as the shot is taken, the
next shooter starts. The shooter and the keeper exchange places. Every shooter
becomes the keeper. First player to score 5 goals wins.
VAriations: Shoot with the right or the left foot only.
Training Game U-8 Players
Take-Overs
Skill: Dribbling and Take-overs
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 1 soccer ball per pair of players and 4 cones to mark the grid.
Grid Requirement: A 30 X 30 yard grid
Organization: Using cones layout a 30 X 30 yard grid. All players are within the grid,
with one ball for each two players.
How The Game Is Played: All players begin to move in any direction throughout the
grid. Half of the players will have a ball at their feet and all players will be moving at
half-speed. When the coach shouts “takeover” the players with the ball will exchange
possession of the ball with one of the players without a ball, using good takeover
technique. Coach should shout “takeover” about every 10 or 15 seconds.
X
X
X
Variations: Add a pass just before the takeover.
Training Game U-8 Players
The Race
Skill: Dribbling/Passing
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 12 or more cones to mark the grid (circle) and 1 soccer ball per player.
Grid Requirement: A circle 20 to 30 yards in diameter.
Organization: Using cones layout a circle 20 to 30 yards in diameter. Number all
players 1 – 10 (depending on the number of players at practice). Position all players on
the perimeter of the circle.
How The Game Is Played: The coach will call a number and that numbered player will
immediately start dribbling counter clockwise around the grid. The player that is one
number removed from the number that was called will leave his or her ball in place and
will immediately pursue the number that was called trying to tag the called player before
he or she reaches his/her starting position. So if the number 1 is called, #1 dribbles and
3 chases.
3
4
2
5
1
6
Variations: Change the size of the circle as needed. Change the chaser to be two
numbers removed from the number that was called if needed to gain required results.
Have both players dribble.
Training Game U-8 Players
The Shadow
Skill: Dribbling
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 1 soccer ball per player and 4 or more cones to mark the grid.
Grid Requirement: A 30 X 30 yard grid
Organization: Using cones layout a 30 X 30 yard grid. Divide the team into pairs. All
players are within the grid, with one ball per player.
How The Game Is Played: Players begin to move in any direction throughout the grid
one partner leading and the other closely following. The trailing player tries to imitate
the dribbling movements of the lead player. Coach will blow his or her whistle after
about 20 to 30 seconds, the leader than becomes the follower.
Variations: This is a very good warm-up activity.
Training Game U-8 Players
The Web
Skill: Dribbling/Fitness
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 Team
Equipment: 4 or more cones to mark the grid.
Grid Requirement: A 30 X 30 yard grid
Organization: Using cones layout a 30 X 30 yard grid. All players are within the grid.
The coach will designate 2 players to be “it” and position them outside of the grid all
other players are called “moths”.
How The Game Is Played: The coach yells “Build the Web (this means go). The “It”
players enter the grid to chase after the “moths”. A “moth” that is tagged must join
hands with the player who tagged him or her to form a chain. The last “moth” becomes
“Super Moth”.
Variations: This is a very good warm-up activity.
Have all moths dribbling trying to avoid being tagged.
Training Game for U-8 Players
You and Me (1v1)
Skill: Dribbling, Attacking and Defending
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 team
Equipment: 6 or more cones to mark the grid, 2 or 3 soccer balls.
Grid Requirement: 15 X 20 yard grid
Organization: Create a 15 X 20 yard grid marked with cones and create a goal
with cones on the center point of the grid. Group players into pairs, place one
player from each pair standing any place on the end lines.
How The Game Is Played: Coach will direct witch player has the ball first. The
coach will yell, “go”. Player with the ball is on the attack second player defends.
Attacker tries to beat the defender by dribbling past the defender through the
goal. If the defender gains possession she attempts to dribble through her goal.
Play is stopped when a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play. A point is
scored every time a ball is dribbled through the goal. First player with 3 points
wins.
Variations: Coach can play the ball to the center of the grid. Players can pass
the ball between the goal for a point.
Training Game U-8 Players
You and Me (1v1) (Two)
Skill: Dribbling, Attacking and Defending
Number Of Players Required: Full U-8 team
Equipment: 8 or more cones to mark the grid, 2 or 3 soccer balls.
Grid Requirement: 15 X 20 yard grid
Organization: Create a 15 X 20 yard grid marked with cones and create a goal
with cones on the center point of the grid. Group players into pairs. Place one
player from each pair standing any place on the end lines.
How The Game Is Played: The coach direct which player has the ball first. The
coach yells, “go”. Player with the ball is on the attack second player defends.
Attacker tries to beat the defender by dribbling past the defender through the
goal. If the defender gains possession, she attempts to dribble through the goal.
Play is stopped when a goal is scored or the ball goes out of play. A point is
scored every time a ball is dribbled through the goal. First player with 3 points
wins.
Variations: Coach can play the ball to the center of the grid. Players can pass
the ball between the goal for a point.